Can You Put Smaller Tires On A Dirt Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Just change the wheels, sprocket and chain and raise the fork tubes in the clamps (the RB runs at 8mm, the R at 28mm).

Everything else is fine

.

Why do dirt bikes have large front wheels?

Dirt bikes have large front wheels because

it allows you to roll over the terrain easier

. The rear tires are small so you can accelerate quicker. If you’re trying to choose between 18-inch and 19-inch wheels, know that 18-inch wheels provide more control, whereas 19-inch wheels have more comfort.

Can I put a narrower tire on my bike?


Yes, you can put narrower tires on a mountain bike

, but there is a minimum size for your rim. Also, remember that narrow tires have drawbacks, they are less shock-absorbing when you hit a rock or another obstacle.

Do smaller bike tires make you go faster?


Push bikes with larger wheels can go faster than the ones with smaller wheels

because the radius of the wheel is larger they are also more stable at higher speeds.

Can you put 27.5 tires on a 26 rim?


Most 26-inch frames have enough room to accept a 27.5-inch wheel as long as the tires aren’t very wide

. To know with certainty, it’s best to use a 27.5-inch wheel equipped with the tire that you want (or a model with a similar width) as a reference. You can borrow a wheel from a friend or go to a bike repair shop.

Can you put 26 inch wheels on a 20 inch bike?


A 26′′ bike frame allows you a little more stretching out from a 20′′ frame, but otherwise it not too much dioferent from a 20 or 24

. And here’s my 20′′Mongoose Mountain Bike with some 26′′inch rims. Tires are 2.125×26. This bike was a blast too ride.

Can you put any width tires on same rim?


Wheels and tires are not interchangeable words

. Tires are a part of the wheel setup. For instance, your vehicle has a set size of rims, but you can buy different sizes of tires to fit those rims, as long as the middle of the tires is the correct size.

Does the width of a bike tire matter?

Your Choices in Tire Widths


While tire diameter should be an exact match, you do have the option of putting on a tire with a slight variation in width

. Some riders opt for wider tires, for example, to give them more traction and a somewhat cushier ride.

Can you put 29 tires on a 26 bike?


You can put the 29 inch wheels on a modified full suspension 26 inch bike frame

. For that, you will just need to be specialized and comfortable in basic bike modifications.

Can I put bigger tires on my dirtbike?

The short answer is yes. The long answer is also yes, but you have to consider a few things and you have to know what you’re doing. Tire size is always a balance between acceleration and cornering grip. This is why

manufacturers equip motorcycles with a certain size tire

.

Do you need a rim lock on a dirt bike?

Why is the rear tire on a dirt bike smaller than the front?

Most motorcycles have larger front wheels, meaning they’re bigger in diameter and skinnier, to help with movement and steering. The back wheels are shorter in diameter and wider

to help with traction and control of the motorcycle since that is where the power is coming from

.

Are 26 wheels slower?

Generally speaking, 26′′ bikes are great for fast twitchy type terrain that requires the rider to be able to react quickly. On the flip side,

26′′ bikes tend to have a slower top speed

, and their smaller wheels are less forgiving when going over bumps, roots, rocks, ect…

What is the best wheel size for a fat bike?

An 80mm rim is pretty standard for stock fat bikes these days. If there is a “standard” fit tire width, we’d say it is in the 3-to-4-inch range. The equates to roughly

80-100mm

tire, as you might often see them referred to.

Can you put larger wheels on a bike?

As long as you pay attention to the correct diameter size for your rim, and make sure that your frame has enough clearance, you should be able to put bigger, wider tires on your bike with no problems.

Can you put 29 fork on a 27.5 bike?

Condensed Answer:

A 29′′ fork can be installed on a 27.5′′ bike

, but it will have a notable effect on the bike’s geometry. The new fork will slacken the head tube and seat tube angle. Consequently, the handling of the bicycle will change in a manner that the rider may not like.

Can you put 28 inch wheels on a 26 inch bike?


The 26-inch wheels and 28-inch wheels are dissimilar enough that you should not try to switch one for the other

. The 28-inch wheels are too large to fit in a frame for 26-inch wheels, while the brake assembly on a bike using 28-inch wheels will not reach far enough to work with 26-inch wheels.

Can you put 29 inch wheels on a 27.5 inch bike?


Yes, you can do it

. The diameter of a 29′′ wheel & tire is slightly larger than a 27.5+ wheel & tire. The 29′′ setup will raise your bottom bracket height.

Can you put 24 inch tires on a 26 inch bicycle?

Your 26′′ tires sit on wheel rims, whose diameter is probably 559 mm.

24′′ tires will not fit onto these rims

; to use 24′′ “junior” tires you actually need smaller wheels, of a 507 mm diameter. These smaller wheels require a different frame.

Can I put 24 inch wheels on a 26 inch bike?


If a bike has clearance for 26”, it can obviously accept 24” wheels

. However, the problem with rim brakes would still manifest because the braze-ons would be at the wrong place. If the bike uses disc brakes, this won’t be an issue.

Can I put 20 inch wheels on 24 inch bike?

Condensed Answer:

In most cases, 24-inch wheels will be too big for a 20-inch fork and frame, especially if the wheel is equipped with a large tire

. Thus, it’s best to avoid this conversion as it will more than likely not work. In a rare scenario, the wheel may fit.

Can I put a narrower tire on my rim?


You can change the size of your tires with the same rims, as long as the tire and rims have the same internal diameter

. Tires are flexible, however, so the width and height may be changed.

What size bike tires will fit on my rims?

Use Internal Width IDEAL TIRE RANGE*
Road-alloy


19-21


23-28mm
Road-carbon 17-23 25-28mm (or per manufacturers recommendation) Gravel 21-26 28-50mm Cross Country MTB + Bikepacking 26-32 1.9”-2.5” 48mm-63mm

Can you put any size tire on a 17 inch rim?

For diameter you’ll need to be sure that your tires and wheels are an exact match, e.g.

a 215/65R17 tire will only fit on a 17′′ diameter wheel

. There’s a bit more flexibility when it comes to wheel widths.

How big of tires can I fit on my bike?

If your bike can accommodate it, use a tire that is

at least 28mm

. Many touring and hybrid bikes will be fitted with even wider tires—up to 47mm wide. These wider tires will definitely provide a cushier ride, so if comfort is your main priority, sticking with these wider tire widths is a good idea.

Can I turn my bike into a fat bike?

Although

you may never be able to convert a regular mountain bike into a full-fledged fat tire mountain bike

, you can increase the width of your tires to some extent. The two main constraints are the width of the rim and clearance at the fork, with these kept in mind the width can be increased.

How does tire size affect bike?


The smaller the wheel, the more it will be affected by even small debris and rocks, and potholes can swallow a 16′′ wheel whole

. The handling and feeling of riding a bike with 16′′ wheels will be considerably different than the full-size adult bike you’re used to.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.